v. re·tal·i·at·ed, re·tal·i·at·ing, re·tal·i·ates v.intr. To do something in response to an action done to oneself or an associate, especially to attack or injure someone as a response to a hurtful action. v.tr. To pay back (an injury) in kind. [Late Latin retāliāre, retāliāt- : Latin re-, re- + Latin tāliō, punishment in kind; see telə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] re·tal′i·ation n. re·tali·a′tive, re·tali·a·to′ry (-ə-tôr′ē) adj. re·tali·a′tor n. |
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